The Stop Campus Hazing Act (SCHA) (S.2901, H.R.5646), also known as Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act - the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, passed into law on December 23, 2024. The Stop Campus Hazing Act is an important step towards eradicating and ending hazing on university/college campuses to ensure safety and well-being of all students. This legislation is supported by campus safety experts, fraternity and sorority groups, and parents of hazing victims, and is a bipartisan, evidence-informed legislation.
The act defines the term hazing to mean any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that (1) is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization (e.g., a club, athletic team, fraternity, or sorority); and (2) causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the IHE or the organization, of physical or psychological injury.
The Texas Legislature enacted an anti-hazing law in 1987. The state law provides penal sanctions in the event of a conviction of hazing. According to this law, individuals or organizations engaging in hazing could be subject to fines and charged with a criminal offense.
TO REPORT AN ACT OF HAZING, CONTACT:
Dean of Students
LBJ Student Center, Suite 504
Phone: 512.245.2124
A date next to an organization's name reflects when the entry is eligible for removal from this report per Texas Education Code section 51.936.
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction
October 31, 2022
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated
October 17, 2022
Date of Report to Institution
October 17, 2022
Date of Hazing Incident or Citation
October 16, 2022
General Description of Hazing Incident
Potential new members were asked to be blindfolded and wrapped with plastic wrap (2-4 times) binding their arms to their bodies. Individuals had to use keys and/or body to “saw” themselves out of the plastic wrap.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges
Code of Student Conduct 02.02
H: endangering the physical or mental health or safety of any person or intentionally or recklessly causing injury to any person.
K: engaging in or submitting to hazing (including hazing associated with an initiation by an organization using dangerous, harmful or degrading acts; see Student Handbook Hazing Policy).
University or Court Findings
Hazing of new members.
University Sanctions or Court Fines
Per discussion and agreement signed [by chapter leadership] on October 31, 2022, the chapter of Alpha Psi Omega is placed on probation beginning October 31, 2022 until the last class day of fall 2023, Friday, December 8, 2023. The organization may be removed from this list December 8, 2026.
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction
January 29, 2024
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated
November 10, 2023
Date of Report to Institution
October 31, 2023
Date of Hazing Incident or Citation
Fall 2023
General Description of Hazing Incident
The organization engaged in a pattern of hazing behavior and imposed conditions of membership that violated the University’s Prohibition of Discrimination Policy during the new member process.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges
Code of Student Conduct section 02.02 K - engaging in or submitting to hazing (including hazing associated with an initiation by an organization using dangerous, harmful or degrading acts)
University Policy and Procedures Statement (UPPS) 04.04.46 Prohibition of Discrimination policy
University or Court Findings
New members were subjected to physical activity and discriminatory practices during the new member process.
University Sanctions or Court Fines
Beta Upsilon Chi is placed on disciplinary probation beginning January 29, 2024, and through the last class day of Spring 2026.
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction:
December 4, 2024
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated:
October 1, 2024
Date of Report to Institution:
September 24, 2024
General Description of Hazing Incident:
Organization engaged in a pattern of hazing behavior. The hazing behavior included physical acts performed in commitment to the organization communicated as a requirement for new member involvement.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges:
Code of Student Conduct section 02.02 K - engaging in or submitting to hazing (including hazing associated with an initiation by an organization using dangerous, harmful or degrading acts)
University or Court Findings:
New members were subjected to physical acts in commitment to the organization communicated as a requirement for new member involvement.
University Sanctions or Court Fines:
The organization, already on probation through the Spring Semester of 2026, will be required to comply with the following additional sanctions in order to be deemed as in good-standing at the completion of their probation:
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction:
January 9, 2024
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated:
October 20, 2023
Date of Report to Institution:
October 20, 2023
Date of Hazing Incident or Citation:
On or around October 1, 2023
General Description of Hazing Incident:
New members were hazed during the new member process. Hazing included physical activities, use of alcohol or drugs, acts of servitude, and theft of other organization's property.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges
Code of Student Conduct section 2.02 K - engaging in or submitting to hazing (including hazing associated with an initiation by an organization using dangerous, harmful or degrading acts; see Student Handbook Hazing Policy).
Code of Student Conduct section 2.02 Q - stealing, destroying, damaging or misusing the property of the university or that of another person.
Student Success Policy and Procedure Statement (SS/PPS) 07.10 Fraternity and Sorority Social Host Policies (now, Fraternity and Sorority Social Host & Risk Management Policy).
University or Court Findings:
Participants in the new member process were subjected to physical exercises, calisthenics, etc., during “lineups” and to “pledge roles" that did not apply to the entirety of the members. Participants were also subjected to the consumption of food items during a ”sandwich night" and on the same or a different night made to believe they were consuming a live goldfish when they were blindfolded and given a (canned) sardine to consume. Some activities incorporated the use of alcohol and marijuana. New members were required to use designated “pledge attire” and participate in acts of servitude (e.g., providing transportation at almost any time of day or night, meals, and other “favors”) for the benefit or convenience of active members. New members were encouraged to engage in the theft of flags from other organizations.
University Sanctions or Court Fines:
Deferred Suspension through 12-15-25. Failure to adhere to accepted sanctions and the Delta Sigma Phi Accountability Plan or a subsequent violation is likely to result in suspension.
Any member with a role in the New Member Education process and 90% of all members must complete Delta Sigma Phi's Courage and Culture workshop from spring 2024 through fall 2025.
The organization must submit its New Member Education plan, approved by and via the Fraternity and Sorority Life Office, to the Student Conduct and Community Standards every semester at least 2 weeks prior to the start of recruitment through fall 2025.
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction:
January 11, 2017
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated:
November 7, 2016
Date of Report to Institution:
October 31, 2016
Date of Hazing Incident or Citation:
October 28, 2016
General Description of Hazing Incident:
During unregistered social event, hosted with 3 other fraternities, new members required to provide services during the event.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges:
Code of Conduct 2.02K - Engaging in or submitting to hazing (see Student Handbook Appendix A).
University or Court Findings:
New members of fraternities were required to serve as "ubers" or "taxis" for active members, as well as directed by active members to transport guests requesting transportation. New members served as staff for the event. New members served as “security”. Alcohol was distributed by new members of the fraternity without any oversight. New members required to clean up the event the next morning.
University Sanctions or Court Fines:
Suspended from the University on January 11, 2017 due to hazing and non-hazing violations. The organization may petition to return to Texas State University beginning the first class day of spring semester 2022.
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction:
September 10, 2019
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated:
March 22, 2019
Date of Report to Institution:
March 22, 2019
Date of Hazing Incident or Citation:
Fall 2018 - Spring 2019
General Description of Hazing Incident:
Associate and potential new members required to perform acts of servitude, required chores and tasks, verbally berated, being told to jump off a roof. During Big/Little ceremony Big Brothers and Associate members took turns paddling each other. Fight nights hosted. Associate members required to sell illicit drugs to make a profit for the colony.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges:
Code of Conduct 2.02K - Engaging in or submitting to hazing (see Student Handbook Appendix A).
University or Court Findings:
Hazing - servitude, fight nights, sell illegal drugs on behalf of the colony.
University Sanctions or Court Fines:
Suspended from the university on September 10, 2019 due to hazing and non-hazing violations. The organization may petition to return to Texas State University beginning the first class day of fall semester 2024.
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction:
May 8, 2023
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated:
April 6, 2023
Date of Report to Institution:
April 3, 2023
Date of Hazing Incident or Citation:
February 2, 2023
General Description of Hazing Incident
New members were required to perform calisthenics during unsanctioned meetings outside of the Membership Intake Process (MIP) guidelines. New members were quizzed and required to complete specified calisthenics when their answers were incorrect or insufficiently loud. New members were blindfolded and required to complete tasks while being taunted and quizzed. Hazing occurred at various locations.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges:
Code of Conduct sections:
University or Court Findings:
Hazing - calisthenics, blindfolded activities, and taunting.
University Sanctions or Court Fines:
Probation from May 5, 2023, through the last class day of spring 2024.
Fall 2023: Facilitated workshop addressing policies and best practices related to hazing, groupthink, and power/privilege of membership to be attended by 100% of the membership by September 8, 2023, and a review of the Membership Intake Process.
Spring 2024: Facilitated workshop addressing policies and best practices related to hazing, groupthink, and power/privilege of membership to be attended by 90% of the membership by February 2, 2024, and a review of the Membership Intake Process.
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction:
November 28, 2023
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated:
October 30, 2023
Date of Report to Institution:
October 18, 2023
Date of Hazing Incident or Citation:
Fall of 2023
General Description of Hazing Incident:
New members were asked to perform acts of servitude, such as giving rides on and off Texas State University and purchasing food for senior members. They were also required to make videos for their community with varying levels of appropriateness.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges:
Code of Conduct section 2.02 K - Engaging in or submitting to hazing
Student Success Policy and Procedure Statement (SS/PPS) 07.10 Fraternity and Sorority Social Host Policies (now, Fraternity and Sorority Social Host & Risk Management Policy).
University or Court Findings:
Hazing through servitude and a new member education process detrimental to the health and safety of new members.
University Sanctions or Court Fines:
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is placed on probation beginning November 28, 2023, and through the last class day of Spring 2025.
Date of Conduct Process Resolution or Court Conviction:
April 24, 2023
Date Conduct Investigation Initiated:
March 22, 2023
Date of Report to Institution:
March 22, 2023
Date of Hazing Incident or Citation:
Spring 2023
General Description of Hazing Incident:
New members required to perform acts of servitude, required chores and tasks, verbally berated, forced to do calisthenics (wall sits, push-ups, excessive running, bear crawls, empty keg toss, bows and toes on rice), required to answer calls from actives at any given time, required to run errands for actives and forced food consumption.
Rules Violation or Criminal Charges:
Code of Conduct 2.02K - Engaging in or submitting to hazing; Hazing Policy Appendix A; SAPPA 05.04, section 07.03 - Hazing (Greek Affairs Policy).
University or Court Findings:
Hazing of new members.
University Sanctions or Court Fines:
Per discussion and agreement signed [by chapter leadership] in April 2023, Sigma Chi Fraternity’s cease and desist of chapter operations is extended to the first class day of fall 2023, August 21, 2023. The chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity was placed on deferred suspension beginning April 24, 2023 until the last class day of spring 2025.